Getting back into cycling...

Just wobble down to the local bike store and ask about the wheels - generally they can be fixed but it may depend on how bad they are.
 
I think mountain bike pedals / clips / shoes are the way to go rather than roadie ones - they are eaiser to click in and out of, and can be switched over if you have a MTB.
 
Don't be worried about the age of the bike.  I have a full carbon road bike and regularly get overtaken by old cro-moly clankers on my sporadic attempts to ride the 20km to work.
 
 

Hi Phil, I was in the same boat as you a little over a year ago. My first love is (and will always be) cycling (with Cossies 2nd of course!). Over 20 years ago, I owned a Ciocc Mockba and then a Colnago Master and then a Look KG86, which was one of the very 1st carbon bicycles produced.. and was CRAP! lol
 
I raced and lived bikes, until I discovered .. cars!
 
Anyways a little of a year ago I got back into riding and bought a nice Cinelli carbon frame and built it up with some sexy Campy gear. I've taken it away with me to Queensland and have done rides in the Hunter, Newcastle, Central Coast as well as my local haunts between Parramatta and Mosman. 
 
The main challenge is that traffic in the past 20 years has increase ten fold and I actually try to map out my ride on google maps or drive in the car to check out any potential danger points. Having said that, there are some good bike paths in Sydney now and you don't have to worry about traffic but the problem is 4 year olds on training wheels on the weekends! 
 
I've done the Syd to Gong three times a fair few years ago, and they used to ride through the national park. Not good for skinny road tyres and for me, detracted from the ride. Not sure if its the case these days.
 
So anyways, I could go on forever so here's my bicycle version of a cossie.. er make that a Ferrari 
 
and yes, you can buy a brand new car for how much its worth 
 

Sounds like theres some nice gear around these days guys, your bike looks the part TiAL!
 
I think the first thing I need to do is get the bike out and check it over...no doubt it will need new tyres and tubes as well as getting the wheels checked out. Then some new shoes and pedals...
 
Hopefully everything else is still in good order, it was all working nicely before the bike was shelved.
 
As far as maintenance goes, like regreasing bearings etc, how often should that be done? Mine has never been touched since new...
 
On a side note...while doing the rounds at he local BigW today...I was disappointed to see DiamondBack bikes have been relegated to department store quality...the equipment on them was pretty average too...
 
Cheers,
 
Phil.

Just joined up:)
 
I didnt realise you were into riding!! I am planning to train along the M7, Im only a km from the Cowpasture road exit.
 
I had a peek at a few new bikes today...unbelievable what you can spend... old faithful will have to do for now!!
 
Back in my heyday I was doing 200 plus kms a week...Blacktown to Bondi Beach was our regular Friday arvo after school ride. If I can get even half way to the fitness I had back then I'll be stoked!!
 
Cheers,
 
Phil.

Cool, what time do you set off at your end normally?

Phil

Cool, what time do you set off at your end normally?

 
Around 6.30PM

Hey phil, 
i have been riding both road and mountain bikes for over 20 years, and have been working in the cycling industry for over 10years  now, so should be able too help with a few of your questions.
Post a pic of your bike and i may be able to make some suggestions on cheap improvements, remember a what 20 year old computers and cars were like? well bikes, cars and computers have all come along way.
But in saying that its great you have a bike you can ride and make sure you want too take up the sport again, I will warn you cycling takes away from car time. Its the biggest deter-ant i have from working on my panel van
Maybe set yourself a goal of 2000ks on the old bike and see how you feel before considering a new bike. And if and when you do consider a new bike,  purchase that only if you get sized up by someone with the correct skills and tools to do so. I tell customers everyday a good fit up on a bike could make the cheapest bike in the store  a better bike than the best bike in the storel if you haven't been fitted too it.
 
The old diamond back should be fine, id be guessing it was a chromoly frame which would be nice and comfortable but not transfer the power to the rear wheel as well as an alloy or carbon bike. If the diamond back is alloy the power transfer would be great but over longer distances you would get a bit more beat up from the road feel as alloy is very stiff, 
This is where carbon ticks all the boxes, light and comfortable, this is why most quality bikes are made of carbon.
The other big difference is gear shifters im guessing your bike would have what we call suicide shifters ( these are shifters that are mounted on the downtube) These are both harder too use and more dangerous.
Newer shifters are mounted on the handlebar levers and these are incorporated in with the brake levers. These make riding much easier.
As for pedals i suggest the shimano r540 road pedal as great pedal that will last and not cost a fortune. and a good pair of basic ROAD shoes, ie the scott comp road road shoe. By goin a road shoe straight away you are eliminating the need to upgrade later, the shoe is also stiffer and offers better power delivery and bike control. A stiffer shoe also lessens the chance of cramping and numb toes.
 
I use the garmin edge 500 computer, its great and a lot smaller and neater than the edge 800, if moneys an issue and you have a decent phone dload the app, endomondo.
This is a great motivational tool too set goals and see how many kays you have done, it can also tell you you heart rate and how many vertical meters you have climbed. have a look at it its very similar to strava i just found it easier to use.
 
Let us know how u get on, good too see someone else out on the bike.